MJ Tam and I had a chance to attend the Kick-Off for WeDay Chicago. Hearing from the celebrities who have donated their time and talents for the big event, was so inspiring. I was very impressed by Henry Winkler who seems to be one of the most giving people, talent in the business, and he kinda liked my cell phone selfie light.

“WE Day empowers change at home. WE make this change through WE Day, a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. This change is sustained all year round through the WE Schools program which nurtures compassion in young people and gives them the tools to create transformative social change”

Henry Winkler with MJ Tam takes a selfie, Henry spends his time and talents as he contributes to various causes to help others.

Last month we had such a fun time with some of the top Chicago Fashion bloggers, and were able to also capture them on video for a project for the #ChicagonistaLIVE Show with REVLON and Walgreens. This was a #sponsored event. The information is my own.

You may have see the REVLON #LoveIsOn campaign, it’s beautiful. We had a chance to get a sneak peek of the upcoming FALL MUST HAVES, and the trend is the the bold, vibrant, and rich colors that will sure to create a dramatic statement.

Now you can go get and try out the Super Lustrous lipsticks in Deep reds, rich marsalas, dramatic bronzed nudes, and dusty pinks. Revlon experts have handpicked the best shades from their staple of best-sellers: the iconic and best-selling Super Lustrous, and Revlon Ultra HD™, their newest line of lipsticks and glosses with wax-free technology for true color clarity.

From August 16th until the 22nd, get all of these great products at hot prices, only at Walgreens.

FALL in love with the new Fall colors!

Learn about some of our great fellow Chicago blogger and read more about them by following blogs below.

In Chicago you can donate to a the cause of your choice, but it’s even more fun when you can donate, dress up, hang out with friends,meet, mix, and mingle with new friends. Find a cause, dress up, donate, and go do good.

It’s fun to update your wardrobe. I spend time looking to find items that are worth the investment, easy to wear, and stay in style. To invest in versatile separates, great dresses, blazers that dress up or down, and jeans that can rock fancy to fun.

Where do you go to find items that stand the test of time? Below are items I found while traveling Europe 2009-2011, and items from Chicago 2009-2013.

How much money have you spent on makeup – how about something not looking right once you get it home, but you save it , and think maybe next season. Did you know you should toss out your makeup before it’s all used up if it’s past a do not use time zone? I hate having to do that.

Here are a few tips to look for when making sure your makeup is safe to use. Products that touch your eyes and lips, these outdated products can be dangerous because they contain harmful bacteria.

I was not happy to toss all of this out – but I was also afraid my daughter might use something out of date so I did. Please check out your products with the above time line and get rid of what you don’t want.

Last week we had an opportunity to introduce Kalla Flowers in Chicago. The ritual of sending flowers has become very mundane; Mothers Day, the birth of a baby, birthdays, graduations, and other special occasions are not mundane events. These touchstone moments in our lives represent the very best in life. They are the connections with our family, relatives, and friends that embrace the most wonderful moments that we cherish.

Bold floral designs and signature gift box are sure to wow!

Kalla does so much more than just package and send flowers. Kalla put’s the meaning back into the old saying “Tis better to give then receive” with Kalla they help create a connection to the receiver and the giver to show that the occasion is truly one that is special, should be celebrated, and build on the memories for our lifetime.

Since Flowers represent the true circle of life, from the first gift a new baby receives when they enter the world, to all the special moments, from graduations, birthdays, weddings, holidays, I love you days, and many more moments.

Broadcasting Live from 900 North Michigan Shops in Chicago – Showcasing Kalla Flowers

We feel that Kalla has a unique role where the generic arrangements of the past have no place when it comes to really showing the receiver of a Kalla’s arrangements how much the sender loves, appreciates, and is connected to the occasion. The reasons you send a Kalla arrangement is it envelopes true emotional memories and connections to be cherished forever.

Come get a stunning view of Chicago, sit near the warm fireplace, experience excellent bartenders, hear spot on music, meet, mix and mingle with 100 very “cool” people you don’t know yet, all this while standing outside in this frozen winter weather. This weekend even though the temp was 18 degrees outside @MJtam from #ChicagonisatLive and I were invited to check out the Vertigo Sky Lounge – Ice Bar, an indoor and outdoor bar at the Dana Hotel.

I knew it would be freezing in the Chicago Winter sense; I was pleased to see how sizzling this experience was, with a cocktail party feel, and a warm mix of people it was the place to be. At my Boomfluent age I love when I uncover a “hot” spot to hang with my coolest friend’s.

Even a boomer can be cool

When you enter and if your lucky you might be able to grab off the rack one of warm comfy fleece blankets to wrap around yourself and keep you cozy while enjoy the drinks from the Ice Bar.

The warmth of the fire pit was enough to keep us toasty as we sipped some of the balmy warming drinks. I loved the Hotti Toddy, and adult hot chocolate. I enjoyed the vibe and seeing the city view from this venue is not to be missed.

The warmth of a Firepit – the beauty of Chicago City View

This ice bar features a frozen bar, fireplace, sofa and sculptures all carved into great designs.

The walls and seating are made of ice. Beautiful and shinning is the ice bar with a frozen Ice “Luge Drinking” station where they pour the shot of choice through the ice sculpture into your mouth. That will warm you up.

Warm and toasty and just in time for winter, my drink of the night was the Hottie Toddy is a classic drink that will warm you up.

Here is a recipe of this warm cocktail you can try at home. Feel free to use the tea that you like most. Many black and green teas mix well with the sweetness of the honey and lemon.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 oz brandy, whiskey, or rum.

1 Tbsp honey

1/4 lemon

1 cup hot water

1 tea bag

Preparation:

Coat the bottom of a mug with honey, or add to a paper warm drink cup

Add the liquor and the juice of the lemon quarter.

On the side, heat water in a tea kettle and add the tea bag to make hot tea.

The #ChicagonistaLIVEshow will be broadcasting live at Bryson Milan | DLUX this coming Tuesday, January 21st and the new upscale boutique owner and NBA Player Bobby Simmons will be joining the show. Simmons is a Chicagoan that last played with the LA Clippers and will not be only touring us in Bryson Milan but he will be talking about his journey in to a successful entrepreneur in the fashion industry. Also joining us talking about trends and more are some of Chicago’s style makers and trailblazers, D.C. Crenshaw and Afrobella.

D.C. Crenshaw is a food and lifestyle personality and a two-time Emmy nominated TV Host/Executive Producer. He created Game Time Dine, a TV show that featured athletes and celebrities talking food, sports and fun. He played in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, a Ford Model, and busy dad of 2 boys.

Trinidadian writer Patrice Grell Yursik created Afrobella.com, the first blog to celebrate natural hair and beauty in all skin tones and sizes. She is nicknamed the Godmother of Brown Beauty Blogging.Afrobella has been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Essence, Glamour and Fast Company. In 2011, she partnered with MAC Cosmetics to create a limited edition lipglass — it sold out in a week! She has covered New York Fashion Week, BET Awards, and the Oscars, and was listed in Ebony Magazine’s Power 100.

GPS To Your True Wealth is back again on our monthly money management segment. From fashion and now to finance, Dan Wachs Atrium Wealth Advisors will be talking about Unexpected Detours and will be mapping you the routes in to more comfortable living and that could more shopping. That’s more money on the side to splurge in Bryson Milan!

Watch and join the conversation.

Tweet along with #ChicagonistaLIVE during the show for a chance to win some prizes.